ELC

At ELC, we are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasises the importance of relationships, creativity, and a child-centred environment. We believe in fostering a sense of community, where respect, love and connection are central to all interactions. Our curriculum is flexible and responsive, allowing children to explore, express and discover at their own pace. Through meaningful experiences, we support each child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development, nurturing them to become confident, curious and compassionate individuals.

Strong, meaningful relationships lie at the heart of everything we do in the ELC. Every interaction – between educators and children, families and educators, and child to child – is an opportunity to build authentic connections grounded in trust, respect, and genuine care. These daily moments foster a deep sense of belonging and emotional security, creating a nurturing environment where children feel valued, heard, and empowered to reach their highest potential and grow with confidence.

Children's wellbeing is prioritised in the ELC as we foster a safe, nurturing environment where they feel supported to express their emotions. Through co-regulation, our educators guide children in understanding and managing their feelings, creating a sense of security and belonging.

Why play? We offer every opportunity for children to explore their theories and wonderings through play. We want our children to investigate and explore science, technology, engineering, arts and maths concepts through hands-on experiences. We encourage them to verbalise their thinking and connect their ideas and theories, fostering deeper understanding and creativity. 

Our thoughtfully designed outdoor playground offers children the opportunity to take calculated risks whilst building their gross motor skills. The outdoor nature studio fosters creative expression while cultivating a deeper, more meaningful connection with the natural world. By embracing diverse learning environments, we empower children to play, explore, take risks, and develop a strong sense of self in a safe and supportive space.

We provide balanced and nutritious meals throughout the day – including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea – for all children. Our menus feature fresh, seasonal ingredients with a focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins. Each meal is carefully planned to support children’s growth, energy and wellbeing, while catering to a range of dietary needs and preferences.

We see mealtimes as opportunities for connection and learning. Sharing meals as a class builds community, encourages social skills and helps children develop a healthy relationship with food.

Our team consists of highly skilled educators with extensive experience in early childhood education. With a deep understanding of child development and years of hands-on expertise, they create a nurturing and enriching learning environment that fosters curiosity and instils a lifelong love of learning.

Specialist subjects enrich the ELC curriculum and strengthen connections between the ELC and Junior School. Through engaging experiences in Physical Education, Music, Christian Education, Library, and swimming (for our 4-year-olds), children expand their learning while building confident relationships with a range of educators.

These interactions help children become familiar with both the staff and the school environment, easing their transition into Junior School. They also give Junior School staff the chance to get to know the children in a different setting, supporting a more personalised and confident start to their ongoing learning journey.